Journal

There's a handful of recommendations I've collected on my phone this week. I like to imagine that this journal is just a text I'm sending to a friend. And instead of sending you a note every time I've thought about you, I've decided to save them up for the weekend. So pal, here are some things I've been wanting to share with you.

Podcast Episode RecommendationsIn my last post I recommended a couple of new podcasts, but here are a few specific episodes that I've enjoyed lately.

Offer Your Work With Hope - Episode 5 from The Next Right Thing podcast. I've sent this link to so many people, but I have to include it on this list still. In the midst of so much hurt and tragedy in our world, it's an encouraging reminder that your contributions matter. Let's keep pursuing the work we were made to do friends.

Friendships - Episode 92 on The Simple Show. Continuing in this season's theme on the essentials, Tsh Oxenreider and Erin Loechner offer a lot of great insight into the challenges and joys of making friendships work as you grow older. My only wish is that the show had a host who could speak from the perspective of the unmarried, as I think that gives you a different perspective on relationships that is worth examining.

Music RecommendationsSam Smith - Too Good at Goodbyes - I had kind of forgotten about Sam Smith, but this single reminded me of how much I enjoyed his first album. Now I can't get this song out of my head.

The National - Sleep Well Beast. This is what I'll be listening to this fall, perfect melancholy music for those cool days. The review from Pitchfork is as enjoyable as the album. I loved what the author, Jayson Greene, said about the power of consistency (emphasis mine).

"...the National offer testimony to something we don’t often celebrate: Enduring is a superpower of its own. The fact that no one can talk about the National without invoking their dependability might feel a bit unfair to them, or at least a bit tired. And yet, there’s a reason it remains such a dominating lens through which to examine them. Consistency is not boring. Consistency is a miracle, a small act of defiance against entropy. Berninger has compared the band to a marriage, as all band members do, but their music feels particularly devoted to the quotidian nature of lifelong unions, the way that your success is measured in time, how each year together turns your commitment into its own kind of monument. There’s a reason anniversary cards say things like 'All these years later, I still love you.' It’s because the miracle isn’t in the 'love,' it’s in the 'still.'"

What are you listening to these days? Do share! And if you take a listen to anything above, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Over the last month two podcasts have popped into my routine, both centered around the topic of decision making. One is brand new and the other is a bit of a re-launch of an existing show. Whether you're an avid podcast listener or not, I highly recommend both. In fact, if you've chatted with me in the last few weeks, you've probably heard me mention them. Here's why - decisions are hard but they're also unavoidable. What better way to confront this reality then with greater intention and perspective.

The Next Right Thingis a new podcast from author Emily P. Freeman. In the first episode, Freeman lays out the format noting, "Each episode will offer a short reflection, a simple action, and a benediction to help you create a little more space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing." In her charming and soothing voice she has remained true to this offering in each episode. Freeman gives you something to chew on as you consider how you can slow down and be more intentional with your choices. The Next Right Thingis a needed breath of fresh air, especially moving into fall - a season that, though lovely, is often marked by the hustle and stress of a new year beginning. This podcast is unique, at least in my roster of listens, in that it isn't an interview style show. One of the benefits of this format, seemingly, is that Freeman offers transcripts of each show on her site. If you prefer to read over listen, you can still enjoy the insights offered in each episode, or come back to something that you missed while listening.

The Simple Show is produced by Tsh Oxenreider, author and editor of The Art of Simple. Tsh has a rotating cast of co-hosts and together they recently launched a new season of this long-running show, moving from the general concept of simplicity to get specific with the theme - "No & Yes." Each episode involves Tsh & a co-host dialoguing about what they say no to and what they say yes to when it comes to a specific area of life. So far they've covered what they eat, what they watch, educating kids and friendship. A lot of the basis for this season's theme comes from the ideas in Essentialism by Greg McKeown. If you have read and enjoyed this book, you will definitely enjoy this show. It's a great deep dive into the whys behind the decisions we all make, whether conscious or not. Those decisions that shape our days and ultimately our lives. It's free of judgement and as you listen, you'll find it's sort of like overhearing two people chat in a coffee shop. The only sad part is that you can't turn around and join in.

It seems like new podcasts are shooting up all the time. I'd love to hear what's caught your attention and how you make the time to listen. These two shows tend to get heard while I'm driving to and from work, or making dinner. I'm thankful they come out on different days so I have something to look forward to throughout the week. What are you listening to these days? Do tell!

The weather was forecasted to be rainy all weekend long, canceling our plans for a fall camping trip. After some back and forth, and some research on Hotwire, we decided to go to Detroit. Per usual, we compiled a list of must see, eat and do that was longer than the time we had available. But we squeezed a lot in and left with a desire to come back soon and finish our list.

The ladies of the weekend were able to leave early Friday afternoon and enjoy a leisurely drive across the state. We fit in two Starbucks visits, a stop for a swimsuit find at Marshall's, and a late lunch at The Cosmo's in Lansing. In addition, we survived nearly being swiped off the road a few miles from our hotel - welcome to Detroit. The guys joined us later that evening and we made our plan of attack for Saturday, narrowing down our pre-trip google doc and making group decisions like the bosses we are.

Saturday

We began our Saturday with brunch at Gold Cash Gold, pulling up outside their doors just as they opened. Everything we had was delicious, but I personally recommend the fried chicken biscuit sandwiches. It's hard to go wrong with anything described as "pickle brined." Following brunch we walked through Eastern Market. I was amazed at how low the prices were and noticed that the vendors here really sell their produce, something you don't hear as much at the Fulton Street Farmers Market here in Grand Rapids.

After the market we parked the car and walked over to the Renaissance Center. We walked around on a rooftop patio and enjoyed the view of Canada and the Detroit River. Then we headed back to ground level and strolled the river walk, which has been nicely developed to include a world map, green spaces, and a water feature in addition to a nice wide path for biking and walking along the riverfront.

Back up we went for a ride on the people mover. The elevated train takes you the long way from the Ren Center to Greek Town, so you get a feel for how dead downtown is on a Saturday (with no sporting events taking place). We strolled through Greek Town, stopping at a bakery that wasn't worth writing home about, and then decided to head for some coney dogs. American Coney Island was enjoyed by all, but most of us were too fill to do a comparison with Lafayette next door. Conensus seems to be that the service is better at American but the food is better at Lafayette.

The group split up for a bit after this so some could enjoy shopping and others could grab coffee and hang at Campus Martius Park. Sitting next to the fountain at the park and people watching served as a reminder that we were in the big city, despite how few people walked by compared to what you'd find on a Saturday in Chicago. Once the shoppers joined us back at the park we decided to head to Atwater Brewery - delicious beer, fairly chaotic service. We took a little walk along the river near the brewery to clear our heads and then drove over to Belle Isle.

While there are seemingly some interesting things to do on Belle Isle (the aquarium for one), it was late in the day and most things were closed. So we drove around - getting out at times to explore hobbit houses, giant slides and abandoned theme parks. We headed out of the city for the day and enjoyed dinner at Vinsetta Garage in Royal Oak. I can't recommend their deep fried cheese curds enough - they're magic! Following dinner we hurried back to throw on our suits and take a dip in the hotel pool. Sadly, 2/5 of our crew had to head home after the swim.

Sunday

We started off the day with breakfast sandwiches at the Detroit Institute of Bagels. Then we walked through the two Heidelberg Project sites. Our time in the city was capped off with a visit to Sister Pie - the one place I had insisted we visit that weekend. Their salted maple pie was even better than I had expected - chilled and served alongside a cup of hot coffee it will blow your mind, I promise.

After stopping at Sister Pie, we headed out to Bloomfield Hills to visit a friend and get a tour of Cranbrook. The campus is beautiful and the weather turned out to be perfect. Our time in Detroit ended with sushi from Noble Fish, enjoyed at a sunny picnic table out front.

A weekend away in Detroit had us feeling like we were farther from home than we really were - at times it was like we were in another country. The great part is we were just on the other side of Michigan and another slice of salted maple pie is only a couple hours away!

January has begun and with it has come bitter cold, heavy snow and a stomach bug. However, a new week lies ahead of us promising higher temps, much less snow and the Golden Globes! There's nothing like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and pretty dresses to make me forgive 2015 for a rocky start.

Aside from returning to work after a two-week absence and hacking away at a really long to-do list, there isn't much to say about last week. A stomach bug kept me at home a couple extra days, but in the process I discovered my new favorite HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Love Chip & Joanna Gaines. Love their renovations in the Waco, Texas area. Love all the shots of their beautiful farmhouse.

The first few days of January were much more eventful. On the second, much of my book club gathered in Detroit to celebrate the wedding of one of our members. Then on the third, I made a slow, snowy drive back to Grand Rapids to celebrate another friend's birthday. Nothing says, "Happy 29," like brunch and a show at the planetarium. Getting older ain't all that bad.

That same weekend I also managed to make stir fry from scratch, using only technique instructions from Joy of Cooking to direct my way. It was delicious and I was so proud of myself. It's moments like this that make me wonder how people don't enjoy cooking.

HELLO

I'm Jackie. It is here that I share my version of the adventure that is being alive. I enjoy perfecting the art of cooking for one, lingering over beautiful words, experiencing four distinct Michigan seasons, partaking in romantically-inclined comedy and engaging in life-giving conversation.